Thursday, April 30, 2020
2 - GET THE JOB, Thursday, April 30, 2020
Do You Need a Cover Letter?
Many job seekers place the majority of their focus on drafting the perfect resume. A common mistake is forgetting to dedicate the same passion to a cover letter. When prepared accurately and professionally, this documentation duo can be the difference between landing the job and waiting for an interview. Your resume is enhanced by a cover letter that provides another opportunity to brag about your skills and how they can benefit a company. Try not to duplicate the information; instead, explain to a hiring manager how you can have a direct impact on the challenges they are facing, based on the job description. It’s important to do your research on the company so you can specifically target their needs.
A STRONG OPENING
The Harvard Business Review states one of the most important things to include in your cover letter is an opening expressing why you’re a good fit for the position. Start with an explanation that showcases how your previous experiences will meet the needs they describe in their job posting. For instance, when applying for a leadership position, provide a brief explanation about the accomplishments you obtained with a previous team. Make sure to include how many employees you oversaw and how you improved productivity. Your opening should
also include any personal connections you have with someone who is already employed within the company. You can also impress a hiring manager by addressing your cover letter directly. With a little research on social media and company profiles, you should be able to find their name easily.
SHOW PERSONAL VALUE
After a strong introduction, you can emphasize your value by displaying proactive problem-solving skills.
Again, research will be a beneficial strategy so you can discover issues your targeted company is facing. Don’t worry if you are unable to discover a specific problem, you can find common trends that impact most businesses within the industry. Show your wisdom by discussing new laws or mandates that may affect a company and a plan to adjust a strategy to accommodate them. Here, you can share a professional experience which explains how you solved a problem previously.
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4 - GET THE JOB, Thursday, April 30, 2020
Why You Aren’t Getting Calls
If you find yourself being proactive in your job search but failing to receive interview invitations, you should review your strategy. A common reason people don’t hear back from an employer is by applying to positions outside of their qualifications. Make sure to thoroughly read the job description to discover what employers are seeking. Another factor that may dismiss your chances of employment can be found in your online persona. Review your active social media accounts for content that may appear unprofessional or represent you in an unreliable fashion. According to a report from the Society for Human Resource Management, 77% of their surveyed companies use social networking sites to recruit candidates. Here are some other reasons you may not get the desired responses during a job hunt.
IGNORING DIRECTIONS
Depending on the type of job you’re seeking, the application process can vary. Oftentimes, submitting a resume and cover letter or application are only the first step. Some hiring managers will ask to see previous examples of your work through a portfolio or website and may require you to follow special instructions when applying for the position. Their extra steps throughout this stage are created for a couple of different reasons. First, having a direct link to related work experience gives them quick access to a list of applicants, rather than researching each candidate individually. It also provides a hiring manager with a perspective of how detail oriented potential employees are. Showing you can follow their simple instructions promotes your accountability and attention to detail.
RESUME ISSUES
With all the factors you consider when presenting an exquisite resume, one thing you may forget to address is ensuring a digital copy will be visible once it’s
received by a hiring manager. Since many resumes are submitted electronically, there’s a chance that your file may experience issues when opened. For peace of mind, attempt to email a copy to a few different friends to make sure it can be accessed without error. Your resume should also be tailored to specific listings. You can work with an expert to customize a doc-
ument that includes the right keywords and highlights your work experience that meets a job description’s requirements. Common mistakes like grammatical or spelling errors can also be a reason your application was dismissed. You can avoid this issue by using grammar-checking software or hiring an expert to analyze your document.
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6 - GET THE JOB, Thursday, April 30, 2020
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Tips for Your Executive Job Search sions. It can be beneficial to adjust your social media Whether you’re already an profiles to appeal to similar goals you share. established executive or looking to break into a position within a REACH OUT TO A company, these highly coveted careers PROFESSIONAL NETWORK The connections you made throughout your profesrequire serious strategy to obtain. sional career can be a huge resource to rely on when Being in this role comes with significant responsibility to ensure the department or organization thrives under your supervision. While a referral from a professional peer can be a step in the right direction, you can still impress your way into a gig with a solid work history and proven record. Of course, your resume should highlight your achievements and qualifications, but you can also prepare an online portfolio or networking site to go into more detail. Research the roster of executives and decision makers within a company to get a feel for their career vi-
searching for an executive position. Reach out to peers you connected with in the past for new opportunities. Of course, pursuing these professionals should be handled with care to avoid coming off as pushy. Rather than asking for a job from the get-go, express your interest in sitting down for coffee or lunch to discuss the future of your industry. This initial meeting can be a great way to reconnect.
MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE
Become a pro at marketing yourself and the knowledge and expertise you have to offer. A good place to start is creating a professional social media profile
where industry leaders can view your career accomplishments and goals. Don’t hesitate from bragging about achievements and the impact you had on previous ventures. You can also get in the spotlight by volunteering to speak publicly at keynote conferences or panels. Showing your expertise at large gatherings allows you to network with a multitude of professionals at once.
NAIL THE INTERVIEW Before an executive interview, it’s crucial to research the company and become familiar with their objectives and challenges. Express your interest in contributing to the growth of their business and how past experiences can make you the perfect candidate. Confidence is key when meeting with a hiring manager, make sure eye contact is constant and you are comfortable when discussing your qualifications.
8 - GET THE JOB, Thursday, April 30, 2020